The South Australian Department of health (SA Health) recorded at least 60 cases of gastrointestinal illnesses this January, most of which occurred in Adelaide, nearly nine times as many as the seven cases reported last January. Experts say hand sanitizer alone will not solve gastroenteritis outbreaks and warn that over-reliance on sanitizer could make the situation worse.
Most of the 60 recorded cases of gastrointestinal illness occurred in child care centers and nursing homes. The actual number may be higher because there is no legal obligation to report viral gastroenteritis. Although there is no conclusive link between the gastrointestinal outbreaks found by the SA Department of Health Infectious Disease Control and the use of hand sanitizer, some experts still believe it may have contributed to the spike in cases.
In the fight against the CCP virus, people are urged to frequently disinfect their hands. Experts believe that the public may therefore be under the mistaken impression that such alcohol-based products can also be used to fight norovirus infections, which cause gastroenteritis.
Hand sanitizer does not fight norovirus infections that cause gastroenteritis
Viral stomach symptoms may appear in two to three days and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms usually last one to two days, but the virus can stay in the body for up to two weeks.
Gastroenteritis symptoms may worsen in young children, the elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions (Photo: PhotoAC)
Although common, gastroenteritis can worsen symptoms in young children, the elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions. The virus is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person through hands, object surfaces or Food contaminated with feces or vomit.
Although hand sanitizer has been a best-seller in the global outbreak of pandemics, it is less effective against “non-enveloped” structures of norovirus. Disinfectants do not properly clean human skin, especially if there is any dirt. However, soap and water do remove viruses and other bacteria, and then the water rinses them off.
Experts believe that people carrying hand sanitizer and squeezing it out and rubbing it in whenever they need it is a way to protect themselves from the disease. But what should not be overlooked is that there is never a substitute for running water and soap to wash your hands and the best way to remove pathogenic microorganisms that get on your hands. Although alcohol-containing sanitizers kill most known pathogenic microorganisms, they do not clean hands and are ineffective against Clostridium difficile, Cryptosporidium, Norovirus, and certain enteroviruses, making hand washing critical.
Dr. Louise Flood, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCB), which is responsible for fighting the outbreak of the CCA virus in South Australia, said improving hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of infections such as gastroenteritis.
“Hand washing with soap and water is the best way to reduce germs on your hands, and in non-healthcare settings, people are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water instead of alcohol-based hand sanitizers,” she said. “Soap and water should always be used to clean hands when there is visible dirt on them.” Authorities urge people to practice good hand hygiene by washing their hands with soap and water, rather than just relying on hand sanitizers to combat viral surges.
Wash your hands properly and don’t use hand sanitizer in eleven situations
Dr. Harriet Whiley, senior lecturer in environmental health at Flinders University, advises, “It’s important to wash your hands, especially your fingertips, and then dry them. And use hand sanitizer appropriately between hand washing sessions.”
There are some situations where hand sanitizer should not be used (Photo: PhotoAC)
Wash your hands with soap and running water only in the following situations.
- before, during and after food preparation.
- before eating.
- before and after caring for a patient with vomiting or diarrhea.
- before and after treating wounds.
- after using the toilet.
- after changing diapers or cleaning a child who has used the bathroom.
- after contact with animals, animal feed or animal feces
- after handling pet food.
- after contact with garbage or chemicals.
- when hands are visibly dirty or greasy
- after contact with patients infected with Clostridium difficile, norovirus, Cryptosporidium, and certain enteroviruses.
When washing hands, use soap and running water, completely rinse hands wet and apply soap. Rub hands for about 20 seconds and pay attention to the front and back of hands and wrists, between fingers and at fingertip nails. Rinse hands thoroughly under running water and dry hands with a disposable paper towel or clean towel.
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